Expecting Parents
“Congratulations on your upcoming new arrival. We are very excited for you. Please call us soon after your baby is born, so we can schedule that crucial first appointment.”
– Dr. Natalya Davis, Norwell Pediatrics
Preparing for Your Newborn
Preparing your home with safety in mind is an important part of safely welcoming your newborn. You should consider fall risks, drowning hazards, choking hazards, potential poisonous or hazardous materials and safety items such as door-handle locks, electric outlet plugs, and cabinet/drawer locks. Also guns should be stored unloaded in a locked safe with separate lockbox for ammunition.
“Getting the car seat installed properly is extremely important.”
– Dr. Natalya Davis, Norwell Pediatrics
You can reach out to your local fire department or police station for help if you need it.
The Poison Control hotline is good to have on hand: 1-800-222-1222
Preparing your home and obtaining all the necessary cloths and baby items can be fun and exciting… but also stressful. There is an overwhelming number of baby products on the market, but in reality only a few that are essential. The rest are for convenience.
Also many items can be purchased second hand for substantial savings. Be careful with older items that may have lead paint and do not buy old car seats that could have been in a crash and become damaged or compromised. Many items such as baby cloths are often passed around from parents of older children to new parents.
Your baby needs a safe sleeping location, such as a crib. We recommend your newborn sleeps in your room close by, but not in your bed where you could roll onto them. Co-sleeping is discouraged due to the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
“A close, but separated, sleeping location such as a bassinet can be arranged within easy reach for night time breast feeding and care.”
– Dr. Natalya Davis, Norwell Pediatrics
Back to Sleep
“We also recommend a pacifier with back to sleep position only, to avoid a heartbreaking fatality of SIDS.”
– Dr. Natalya Davis, Norwell Pediatrics
If you are breast feeding you’ll probably need a good breast pump, some comfy pillows and a comfortable rocking chair are also helpful. Be sure to follow the recommendations for safe storage and usage of expressed milk.
